Tonight, an ABC news exclusive interview with V. Stiviano, the woman at the center of the Donald sterling controversy speaking out about the firestorm sparked by a taped conversation between her and the billionaire L.A. Clippers' owner. In the face of the scandal she has been hiding behind a visor until now. She sat down with ABC's Barbara Walters for the first time just a short while ago. You have seen her all week, skating in front of her house with that odd visor covering her face, hoping to quench the paparazzi's thirst for her story. Or exiting a restaurant, espousing presidential aspirations. One day I will become president of the United States of America. Who is she? 31-year-old V. Stiviano, the woman often at sterling's side at clipper games. And she is nearly 50 years his junior. I am his confidant, his best friend, his silly rabbit. Tonight, V. Stiviano speaking for the first time. Our relationship started off, me working for Mr. Sterling, at his nonprofit foundation, it has evolved to so much more. On a level which has become a big scandal. It became a scandal. Yes. Why? How and why doesn't matter anymore. It is here. And some things needed to be brought to the light. The woman at the center of the Donald sterling controversy. The billionaire's confidant, heard first on these tapes. Do you know that you have a whole team, if you want to broadcast that you are associated with black people. I support them and give them clothes and food and cars and houses. Racist comments from L.A. Clippers' owner that rocked the nation and may cost him what he loved most. I am banning Mr. Sterling for life. But now, V. Stiviano is defending him. Is Donald sterling a racist? No. I don't believe it in my heart. Have you heard him say derogatory things about minorities in general and blacks in particular? Absolutely. You have heard him say derogatory things? Yes. Didn't they sound racist to you? I think that the things he says are not what he feel anyone can say anything in the heat of the moment. Not everybody makes alleged racist remarks in the heat of the moment. Sometimes in the heat of the moment you say things that -- That you mean. Or that you feel. Yeah. Explain how he says these things. I think Mr. Sterling is from a different generation than I am. I think he was brought up to believe those things. What things? Segregation, whites and blacks. He was brought up to believe these beliefs in his own way. And they're engrained in him, deep and in his body and in his mind. Through his actions he has shown he is not a racist. Through his actions he has shown to be a very generous and kind man. She claimed that these conversations were never intended to become public. These conversations were in private, nevertheless, they be came public. And because they did a lot of people have been hurt by it. His wife. His children. So how did they come to light? These things that he said to you were recorded, did you know that? Yes, I recorded them. But how did they become public information? Some one leaked the audio, or sold the audio, or gave the audio to what I believe to be TMZ. A friend or a so-called friend of mine. I was planning on quitting working with Mr. Sterling a few months back. No one understand my pain and feeling. And I was reaching out to a few of my friend. I shared an audio with them where they can empathize my feelings. You are half black and half Mexican. You were close to Donald sterling. Yes. You do not kid consider him a racist? No. V. Stiviano says over the 2 1/2 year relationship she was helping hem to change his point of view. People were used to Mr. Sterling being Mr. Sterling. And here comes everything changed. Mr. Sterling is kind to everyone. He greets and treats people with equality. And I brought that light to him. So you helped him become a better person? In every way. Uh-huh. In every way. But the question on everyone's mind -- can you tell me what your relationship with Donald sterling is? I'm Mr. Sterling's right hand arm, man. Are you in love with Donald sterling? I love him. I'm not sure that's what I asked. Are you in love? No, I am not in love. You love him what like a friend, like a romance? I love him like a father figure. Look a father. Do you and Donald sterling have a financial arrangement, you say you are his assistant. Does he pay you? Yes. At first he started paying me as an employee, and then he started paying me off the books. Is he still paying you off the books? No. No. You are one of his assistants? I am his assistant. You are his assistant. Yes. You are very honest. So I am going to be blunt as well. Donald sterling has been married for over 60 years. Where do you fit into that life? I don't. Mr. Sterling's marriage is Mr. Sterling's marriage and relationship. I'm not part of that life. What's the biggest misconception about you? That I'm a mistress or a whore. Or a woman of the night. People have seen you walking with a visor. Why the visor? I'm hurting. I'm in pain. It hurts to see someone that you care about hurting. It hurts to see people speculate, assume, say, throw darts at you when they don't know you. When they don't know your story. When they don't know the truth. All based on hearsay and assumptions. It hurts. She was with sterling moments before she set down with me. V. Stiviano, you just left Mr. Sterling. What is his state of mind right now? Confused. I think he feels very alone. Not truly supported. By those around him. Tormented. Emotionally traumatized. From what? From everything. I think he is highly more traumatized and hurt by the things that he said himself. I think he can't even believe or understand some times the things he says. Do you think that Donald sterling should apologize? Absolutely. Will he apologize? Only god knows. What advice are you giving Donald sterling now? I just want him to come to his senses. I want him to believe it and feel it and into genuinely feel apologetic to the world. I am giving him the advice that he should apologize to the nation, to the world. For his racist remarks. For "Nightline," I'm Barbara

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